When might a district grant me a permit to transfer schools?

Obtaining either an interdistrict or intradistrict permit is the only way you will be allowed to transfer schools (without moving). A transfer permit is typically difficult to obtain.

Here are a few reasons your district might grant you a permit to transfer:

• A parent or guardian is employed at a different school/school district. If at least one parent/guardian is physically employed at a school or district outside of their child’s designated school, the child may be granted a permit to transfer. However, if their parent/guardian ceases to be employed by the school, the child’s transfer may be revoked.

• Your child is experiencing bullying. When bullying interferes with a child’s ability to receive proper education, the school should be made aware of the situation and promptly stop it. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and when/if the bullying persists, it could be considered harassment and a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) violation. In situations where the bullying becomes overwhelming, schools, at the parents’ request, may issue a permit for transfer with priority given to selecting the desired school to transfer to.

• Your child is currently enrolled in a low-achieving school. California law dictates that students have the option to secure a permit to transfer to a school with a higher API (academic performance index).

• A parent/guardian is in the military. Due to most military families being at a geographic disadvantage based on where they are assigned, some schools will allow military families to obtain a transfer permit or will modify their open-enrollment policies entirely.

Ultimately, even if you secure a permit to transfer from your school/school district, your child still needs to be approved to leave their old school and be accepted into their desired new school, meaning there’s a chance your child will be waitlisted or not be granted entrance at all. Often, students with extensive support needs unfortunately hear that there's no room. (It is difficult not to assume that this is due to the expense.) Despite legal safeguards to prevent discrimination, this can happen. Feel free to reach out to an advocate or attorney at any time to assist you.

Read more in our article Transferring School Districts with an IEP.